Islamabad, March 4, 2025 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by cold weather across multiple districts of Punjab. Residents should prepare for fluctuating weather conditions, particularly in northern and central regions of the province.
According to the PMD, Punjab will experience predominantly dry and cold weather at night, while rain-wind and thunderstorms are expected in cities including Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, and Narowal in the early morning. Fog patches are also likely to develop in several areas, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Bahawalnagar, reducing visibility and affecting transportation.
The PMD has also predicted rain-wind and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over the hills in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, northeast Punjab, Murree, Galliyat, Potohar region, and Islamabad within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, other parts of the country will continue to experience cold and dry weather.
The Met Office has issued warnings that moderate to heavy snowfall may lead to hazardous travel conditions, including slippery roads and potential traffic disruptions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli. Travelers and tourists in these regions have been advised to exercise caution due to the heightened risks of landslides and avalanches.
In Islamabad, the weather forecast suggests a 40% probability of isolated rain-wind and thunderstorms in the morning, contributing to colder temperatures. Similarly, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas including Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Malakand, Bajaur, Mardan, Charsadda, and Nowshera are expected to receive rain-wind and thunderstorms with snowfall, while other regions will remain cold and dry.
Sindh and Balochistan are likely to continue experiencing dry weather, while parts of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan may witness isolated rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall.
Over the past 24 hours, rainfall and snowfall over hilly areas have been recorded in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, northeast Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Punjab’s weather has been notably unpredictable, with shifting conditions causing periodic disruptions. The coldest temperature in the country on Monday was recorded in Leh, where it dropped to a freezing -9°C.
As Punjab faces fluctuating weather patterns, authorities advise residents to stay updated with weather alerts and take necessary precautions against cold temperatures, thunderstorms, and fog-related travel delays.